Ti/Zr ratio as a geochemical tool for the correlation of weathered coals from geological formations in two Latin American sedimentary basins |
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| Authors: | M Martínez M Escobar F Morante E Lorenzoa A Álvarez |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, Vía La Libertad-Santa Elena s/n Santa Elena, Ecuador;2. CARBOZULIA, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela;3. Facultad de Ciencias de la Tierra, Escuela Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador |
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| Abstract: | Major and trace element concentrations in fresh and altered coals in outcrops and coalfields from Táchira and Mérida states (Venezuela), as well as from Napo and Pastaza provinces (Ecuador), have been determined to establish inorganic parameters not dependent of weathering effects. Noteworthy is that the Ti/Zr ratio is approximately constant in each sedimentary basin even for great distances (>100 km). Worldwide data of trace elements analysis in coal samples support the stated Ti/Zr ratio constancy in different basins for fresh and weathered ones. Therefore, Ti/Zr ratio can be considered a rapid tool to easily identify coal seam correlations. |
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| Keywords: | Coal elemental ratio inorganic geochemistry seam correlation weathering processes |
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